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Rhino horn thefts blamed on Irish gang

Ed Carty
Thursday 07 July 2011 19:00 EDT

An organised crime gang from Ireland is masterminding illegal trade in rhino horns around the world.

Europol and Ireland's Garda have issued a warning about the gang which they said was a significant player in the theft and smuggling of rhino horns, on top of other more opportunistic crimes, as they travel across Europe.

The group, believed to be from the traveller community, are targeting auction rooms, galleries, museums, zoos and private collections to steal the rare specimens.

Rhino horn can fetch £36,000 a kilogram on the black market.

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